B.112. text-justify

This nonstandard property, supported by Internet Explorer for Windows version 5 or later, controls the algorithm used to calculate spacing in blocks with text-align set to justify. This property is designed for use with Asian languages where "words" do not necessarily occur, and therefore the adaptive word spacing usually associated with justified text does not have a clear meaning.

Inherited: Yes

See also: Section B.107text-align, Section B.112text-kashida-space

B.112.1. Value

This property will accept any one of the following constant values:

• auto: allows the browser to choose which algorithm to use

• distribute: letter spacing and word spacing is increased by the same amount

• distribute-all-lines: same as distribute, but also applies to the last line

• inter-cluster: same as distribute, but does not add space between characters of Southeast Asian grapheme clusters

• inter-ideograph: same as distribute, but does not add space between non-Chinese/Japanese/Korean characters

• inter-word: the familiar method for Latin languages like English, adds only space between words

• kashida: uses elongated strokes in Arabic characters to justify text

• newspaper: same as distribute, but preference is given to inter-word spacing over inter-character spacing

Initial value: auto

B.112.2. Compatibility

CSS Version: n/a

Internet Explorer 5 or later for Windows only. The kashida mode is supported only by version 5.5 or later.

Equivalent functionality is planned for inclusion in CSS3, but final property names and values are likely to differ. To follow the work on this front, see the CSS Working Group Web site.

B.112.3. Example

This style rule specifies the newspaper justification mode for div elements of class column:

div.column {
  text-align: justify;
  text-justify: newspaper;
}